Woodcliff Lake City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XI
Provisions Applicable to All Districts
§ 380-78 Off-street parking and loading.
A.
General provisions. Within the municipality, no lot, tract or parcel of land shall be used and no building or structure shall be constructed, altered, erected or placed to be used without adequate off-street parking and loading facilities for the particular use of said premises. Planning or Zoning Board approval shall be required for the location of all proposed parking spaces taking into consideration such factors as, but not limited to, the size and topography of the lot; visibility from the lot to the adjoining street, as well as within the parking area; conditions of safety relating to the movement of people and vehicles; and the elimination of nuisance factors, including glare, noise, dust, exhaust emissions and other similar considerations. Subject to other considerations as specified herein, off-street parking and loading:
(1)
Shall not be located in any required front yard in the Executive and Administrative Office District (EAO), the Special Office District (S-O), or in the Office Research District (O-R).
[Amended 4-18-2005 by Ord. No. 05-04]
(2)
Shall not be located in any required front yard in Business District B-2 and Business District B-3 unless there is provided a twenty-five-foot-wide landscaped area abutting the right-of-way line along the entire frontage of the lot with the exception of the ingress and egress ways or driveways.
(3)
Shall not be located closer than 10 feet to a side or rear lot line and shall not be located closer than 30 feet to any residentially zoned property.
(4)
Shall not be located closer than 30 feet to any two intersecting streets (excluding residential driveways) or within the sight triangle of any driveway.
(5)
Shall not be permitted on ingress and egress ways or driveways.
(6)
Shall be provided on the same lot as the building it is servicing.
(7)
Shall be provided with lighting so arranged and shielded as to reflect the light downwards and away from adjoining properties.
(8)
Shall conform to the standards and specifications for off-street parking facilities as set forth Schedule A of this chapter[1] and Table VI-1 of Chapter 292, Site Plan Review, of the Code of the Borough of Woodcliff Lake.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(9)
Shall not be permitted closer than 200 feet to any residential district or municipal boundary in the Executive and Administrative Office District (EAO); or 30 feet from any residential district in the Business District (B-1, B-2 and B-3) and the Special Office District (S-O).
(10)
Shall not, together with the total area covered by buildings, exceed more than 50% of the total area of a lot in the Executive and Administrative Office District (EAO) or in the Office Research District (O-R). In the event that additional parking is required, said parking area shall be placed below grade level or in building basement areas.
[Amended 4-18-2005 by Ord. No. 05-04]
(11)
Shall not, in individual areas, exceed 80,000 square feet on any lot. Adjacent parking areas or lots shall be separated by landscaped buffer areas.
(12)
All off-street parking areas having 10,000 or more square feet of paved area shall, in addition to the landscaping of the setback areas or buffer areas, provide landscaping for the interior parking lot areas at a minimum of 20 square feet of interior lot landscaping for each parking space, with a minimum landscape dimension of five feet by five feet.
B.
Number of parking spaces. There shall be provided the number of off-street parking spaces required by the specific use in accordance with Schedule A entitled "Off-Street Parking Requirements" attached hereto and made part hereof.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Schedule A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
§ 380-79 Outdoor lighting.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
All outdoor lighting for the illumination of outdoor facilities, such as driveways, parking areas and similar areas or for security purposes, shall be so arranged or shielded as to reflect the light downwards from all adjoining properties to minimize unnecessary glare (as that term is defined hereafter) or intrusions upon neighboring properties. Lighting facilities specifically covered by Subsection B shall in addition to these general requirements comply with the standards set forth in that subsection.
(2)
No outdoor lighting shall be constructed or erected without a permit therefor having been issued in accordance with this section.
(3)
No outdoor lighting shall be permitted for the illumination of tennis courts or platform tennis courts.
(4) DIRECT GLARE GLARE PUBLIC RECREATIONAL USE RECREATIONAL FIELD LIGHTING, PUBLIC SPILL LIGHT (LIGHT TRESPASS)
Terms defined. Wherever used in this section, the following terms shall have the respective meanings hereinafter set forth or indicated, unless the context otherwise requires:
Glare resulting from insufficiently shielded light sources in the field of view.
The sensation produced by brightness within the visual field that is sufficiently greater than the illumination to which the eyes are adapted, so as to cause annoyance, discomfort or loss in visual performance and visibility.
A lot or lots owned, leased or otherwise under the control of a public entity as defined in Titles 40, 40A and 59 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes, which lot or lots are intended for use by persons with the permission of the public entity for athletic or recreational activities.
[Added 12-6-1999 by Ord. No. 99-10]
Exterior lighting installed by or under the direction of the public entity and for its exclusive use for the purpose of providing nighttime illumination for municipal recreational uses. Outdoor lighting for areas beyond the athletic field, such as parking lots, driveways and similar areas, are not included within the definition of "public recreational field lighting" and shall be subject to the other provisions of this section.
[Added 12-6-1999 by Ord. No. 99-10]
The light shining beyond the athletic fields caused by the uncontrolled direct component from luminaires or from reflected light within the facility.
[Added 12-6-1999 by Ord. No. 99-10]
(5)
All permitted light fixtures shall be shielded by louvers, baffles or visors to restrict the maximum apex angle of the cone of illumination to 135°. The upper apex of the apex angle shall not exceed 75° from the horizontal. Shielding on one side of the light fixture may also be required. No direct glare shall be permitted.
B.
Illumination of basketball courts and similar areas of recreation.
(1)
Lighting standards. Lighting fixtures for pools and basketball courts must comply with the following regulations:
(a)
For basketball courts, light standards inclusive of fixtures shall be located at least 15 feet from the property line and shall not exceed 20 feet in height above ground level nor shall any light fixture be installed more than 20 feet above ground level.
(b)
At any point on any adjoining property the total glare measured at a height of three feet above ground level shall not exceed 0.2 of a footcandle over the combined illumination of all other lighting on the premises and lighting from any natural light source. Such readings shall be made with a direct reading, portable light meter held toward the source of light, which meter shall have been tested and calibrated by an independent commercial photometric laboratory or manufacturer of said meters within one year prior to the date of use as attested by a certificate issued by said laboratory or manufacturer.
(c)
For pools, lighting standards inclusive of fixtures shall be located at least 15 feet from the property line and shall not exceed two feet in height above ground level. This shall include internal lighting of the pool and the lighting of walkways and decks.
(d)
Lighting fixtures must comply with the setback requirements for accessory buildings.
(2)
Lighting hours. Lighting of pools, basketball courts and similar areas of recreation is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the next day, local time, except on Friday and Saturday when such lighting shall be prohibited from the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. the next day, local time.
C.
Public recreational field lighting.
[Added 12-6-1999 by Ord. No. 99-10]
(1)
All public recreational field lighting shall be so arranged or shielded as to reflect the lighting downward from all adjoining properties to minimize unnecessary glare or intrusions upon neighboring properties.
(2)
At a point located at any property line immediately adjacent to a public recreational use wherein there is installed public recreational field lighting, the total light spillage measured at any point between the closest side of the adjacent residence and a point three feet above ground level at the dividing property line between the residential lot and the public recreational field shall be as close as practicable to 0.5 footcandle, but in no event in excess of one footcandle over the combined illumination of all other lighting on the premises and lighting from any natural light source. Readings at the property line shall be made with a direct reading, portable light meter held toward the source of light, which meter shall have been tested and calibrated by an independent commercial photometric laboratory or manufacturer of said meters within one year prior to the date of use as attested by a certificate issued by said laboratory or manufacturer. Readings at the side of the house of the adjacent residence shall also use a hand-held meter as aforesaid, unless access to the residence is prohibited or refused, when, in that event, an applicant shall establish such measurements at the house line by engineering calculations accepted in the industry.
(3)
As a condition of any permit, certificate of occupancy, site plan or variance application granted to any person or entity for the operation of public recreational field lighting, the daily times of operation for such lighting as well as the seasonal and annual usage shall be subject to the express consent of the Woodcliff Lake Mayor and Council, and no public recreational lighting within the Borough shall be operated at any time absent such consent and in accordance therewith.
(4)
Existing public recreational uses. For all public recreational uses with field lighting installed prior to the effective date of this subsection, nothing herein shall prevent the maintenance and periodic replacement of all lighting existing thereon, notwithstanding that such field lighting is not in compliance with this subsection, except that any such replacement or modification shall maintain the average light spillage measurements taken in accordance with this subsection, with an error factor of 10% light spillage to be permitted.
D.
Application requirements.
(1)
All applications for outdoor lighting must be made to the Zoning Officer.
(3)
The application shall be accompanied by a lighting plan duly certified by a licensed electrician which sets forth the location and height of the lighting fixtures, the type of lighting fixture, the shields for the lighting fixtures, if any, the footcandles on adjoining properties at three-foot heights, the location of the measurements of the footcandles and the calculations utilized for the measurement of the footcandles.
(4)
The Zoning Officer of the Borough shall review the application, make the necessary inspections and determine compliance with all requirements of the chapter.
E.
Permits. The Zoning Officer shall issue a building permit when all fees have been paid or deposited and the application and plans submitted indicate that the designed improvements will conform to all of the requirements of this chapter. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued until all improvements have been constructed and installed in complete compliance with this chapter.
§ 380-80 Buffer areas.
A.
Any lot utilized for a nonresidential use abutting a lot in a residential zone or a lot used for residential purposes shall have a buffer area consisting of fencing, evergreens or other barriers determined suitable by the Planning Board (in consultation with the Shade Tree Committee) to screen the nonresidential use from the residential use.
B.
Such buffer areas shall be 30 feet in depth at the perimeter of the lots and, when planted with evergreens, they shall be at least 10 feet in height at the time of planting, of a kind that will grow to a normal height of at least 20 feet at maturity. The evergreens shall be planted at a distance of no greater than the normal branch circumference of the planted tree at maturity. The evergreen trees shall be planted in at least two rows, in a staggered fashion, so that the trees in one row will be placed in a position so as to obstruct vision between the trees in the other row. Whenever there are existing wooded areas within said buffer area, the Planning Board may, in its discretion, waive the requirement for said planting of evergreen trees.
C.
The buffer areas, once installed, shall be properly maintained so that there will be continuance of the landscaping elements originally required.
§ 380-81 Signs.
No sign shall be permitted in any zone district within the municipality which does not conform to Chapter 287, Signs, of the Woodcliff Lake Code.
§ 380-82 Fences.
No fence or wall shall be permitted in any zone district within the municipality which does not conform to Chapter 168, Fences, of the Woodcliff Lake Code.
§ 380-83 Nonconforming buildings and uses.
A.
Applicability. The following provisions shall apply to all buildings or uses existing on the date of the adoption of this chapter, which buildings or uses were permitted by the prior ordinance and which buildings and uses do not conform to the requirements set forth in this chapter, to all buildings or uses that become nonconforming by reason of any subsequent amendment to this chapter and to all conforming buildings housing nonconforming uses.
B.
Any lawful nonconforming use or nonconforming structure existing at the time of passage of this chapter may be continued upon the lot or in the structure so occupied, and any such structure may be restored or repaired in the event of the partial destruction thereof, but shall not be:
(1)
Enlarged, extended, reconstructed or placed on a different portion of the lot occupied by such use prior to the adoption of this chapter.
(2)
Changed to another nonconforming use without a permit from the Construction Code Official and without a variance from the Board of Adjustment and then only to a use which, in the opinion of the Board, is of the same or of a more restricted nature.
(3)
Reestablished if such use has been abandoned, inactive or not used for any reason for a period of one year or more or has been changed to or replaced by a conforming use. Intent to resume a nonconforming use shall not confer the right to do so.
C.
Nonconforming use of buildings. Except as provided below, no building which houses a nonconforming use shall be:
(1)
Structurally altered or enlarged.
(2)
Moved to another location where such use would be nonconforming.
(3)
Restored for other than a conforming use after partial destruction unless such restoration shall have been completed within one year of such partial destruction. If such restoration of the building is not completed within a one-year period, this nonconforming use shall have been deemed to have been discontinued. The Zoning Board of Adjustment for good cause may, however, in its discretion, extend the time for restoration beyond the one-year period.
D.
Nonconforming use of land. Normal maintenance and repair, structural alteration in and moving, reconstruction or enlargement of a building which does not house a nonconforming use but is nonconforming as to the zone regulations for lot area, lot width, front yard, side yard, rear yard, maximum height, maximum lot coverage or minimum livable floor area per dwelling are permitted if the same do not increase the degree of or create any new nonconformity with such regulations in the building.
E.
Certificate of extension of valid nonconforming uses. The prospective purchaser, prospective lender or any other person interested in any land upon which a nonconforming use or structure exists may apply in writing for the issuance of a certificate certifying that the use or structure existed before the adoption of the ordinance which rendered the use or structure nonconforming. The applicant shall have the burden of proof. Applications pursuant hereto may be made to the Construction Code Official within one year of the adoption of the ordinance which rendered the use or structure nonconforming or at any time to the Board of Adjustment. The Construction Code Official shall be entitled to demand and receive for such certificate issued by him a reasonable fee not in excess of those provided in N.J.S.A. 54:5-14 and 54:5-15. The fees collected by the official shall be paid by him to the municipality. Denial by the Construction Code Official shall be appealable to the Board of Adjustment, pursuant to Sections 59 through 62 of the act (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-72 to 40:55D-75) and shall apply to applications or appeals to the Board of Adjustment.
F.
Exceptions. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent normal maintenance and repair of any building or the carrying out, upon the issuance of a building permit, of major structural alterations or demolitions necessary in the interest of public safety. In granting such a permit, the Construction Code Official shall state the precise reason why such alterations were deemed necessary.
G.
In the event that there is a cessation of operation of any nonconforming use for a period of 12 consecutive calendar months, the same shall be prima facie evidence of abandonment of the use. Any subsequent exercise of such abandoned nonconforming use shall be deemed a violation of this chapter.
§ 380-84 General provisions.
[Amended 1-2-2001 by Ord. No. 00-7; 12-2-2002 by Ord. No. 02-15; 9-2-2014 by Ord. No. 14-10; 3-1-2021 by Ord. No. 21-04; 7-21-2025 by Ord. No. 25-09]
Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the following provisions shall apply to all zoning districts:
A.
Accessory structures. No accessory structure may be erected on any lot on which there is no principal building or structure, except where adjacent lots are in common ownership and then only as an accessory structure to a principal building structure on such adjoining lot and only for so long as the adjoining lot on which the accessory structure is located is in common ownership with the adjoining lot on which the principal building or structure is located. This subsection shall not, however, supersede the provisions of § 380-12 herein, which shall control.
(1)
No accessory structure or building shall be located between the front line of a residential dwelling and the front property line.
B.
Corner lot (two front yards, side yards and rear yard). Any building to be constructed on a corner lot fronting on two streets, commonly known as a "corner lot," shall on each street be set back the number of feet required for a front yard on each street, it being the intention of this chapter that the side of a building on any corner lot shall be aligned with the front yard setback requirement for a building located on an interior lot. The yard opposite the designated front of the building shall meet the rear yard setback, and the remaining yard shall meet the minimum side yard setback.
C.
Frontage on public street. Every lot shall have frontage on a public street, and said frontage shall not be less than the required frontage in the district in which the lot is located.
D.
Payment of taxes as condition of approval. As a condition of approval of any development application, there shall be submission of proof that no taxes or assessments for local improvements are due or delinquent on the property for which any subdivision, site plan or planned development is made.
E.
Projections and encroachments. No part of any building or structure attached to a building shall project into any required yard or setback except as follows:
(1)
Leaders, windowsills, belt courses and similar features projecting no more than four inches.
(2)
Ornamental features not extending to the foundation walls or chimneys, in either case projecting not more than two feet.
(3)
Eaves projecting not more than 16 inches.
(4)
Window air-conditioning units projecting not more than 18 inches and outside air-conditioning condenser units on the ground projecting not more than three feet.
(5)
Uncovered entrance steps may project a maximum of four feet into a required setback.
(6)
Permanent standby generators may project not more than eight feet into the required rear or side yard setback.
F.
Required area or space. No lot, yard, parking area or other space shall be reduced in area or dimension so as to make said area or dimension less than the minimum required under this chapter. If already less than the minimum required under this chapter, said area or dimension shall not be further reduced.
G.
Temporary structures. Temporary structures such as tents, platforms, reviewing stands and other similar structures are prohibited, except that the Zoning Officer may issue a temporary permit for a period of seven days or less when, in his opinion, the same would be of sound construction, would not create any hazard and would not interfere with any movement of traffic within the municipality. This subsection shall not apply to the municipal government and its boards and agencies and the Board of Education with respect to their properties.
H.
No driveway for any lot within the Borough shall be closer than five feet to any adjacent lot or lot line, excluding that portion of a lot line that abuts a dedicated and accepted right-of-way.
§ 380-84.1 Broadway design standards.
[Added 5-16-2022 by Ord. No. 22-06]
Any property with frontage along Broadway shall comply with the design standards set forth at § 292-33.1 of the Borough Code.